School Policies

 All students enrolled at the Dance Conservatory of Maryland should be able to enjoy the art of dance in a positive, healthy and distraction-free environment. Our faculty and staff do their best to promote respectful behavior from all students in the classroom.   Please observe the following school policies to ensure that each student gets the most out of their time at DCM. Do not hesitate to contact the DCM office if you have any questions about school policies.  

  • Students are expected to behave respectfully and courteously at all times toward DCM faculty, staff, other students, and parents.
  • All cell phones should be turned off during classes and rehearsals.
  • Students must show respect for the property of others and for the facilities.
  • Students must follow the dress code for all classes and rehearsals, even when injured or observing.
  • It is the responsibility of the student to make up all missed classes promptly at the student's level or a lower level. 
  • Students should put their belongings neatly in the cubbies provided or under chairs or benches in the lobby.
  • Students should not touch the belongings of others.
  • Students should help keep studio buildings and grounds clean and neat by putting waste paper and food and drink containers in the appropriate receptacles.
  • No gum, food, or drink (except water) is permitted in any DCM studios.  
  • DCM is not responsible for any lost or stolen items.
  • No animals are permitted in DCM buildings other than service animals.
  • There is no smoking anywhere in or near DCM. 
  • The use of alcohol or drugs is prohibited in or near DCM.
  • The use or possession of weapons of any type is not permitted in or near DCM.
  • In keeping with the honor system, students who witness infractions of rules must report them immediately to a DCM instructor or staff member. Those who do not may be subject to disciplinary action. 
  • Any student who is not prepared for class because of lateness, behavior problems, or inattention to the dress code may be asked by the teacher to sit and observe class instead of participating.
  • Parents of dancers ages 12 and under must be present while your child is not in class. 
  • DCM shall not be liable in any way for injuries sustained during attendance at the ballet school or any of its relate functions. 
  • Any student or parent who verbally or physically abuses anyone, verbally defies an instructor or staff member, commits unlawful action, or commits any other action deemed by DCM to be grossly inappropriate may be dismissed from the school immediately. There will be no refunds.

Class Placement, Scholarship, PRIVATE Coaching

Class Placement   

  • Placement in the recreational program is established first according to age, and second based upon performance during previous classes, or placement class. 
  • Each student is evaluated and promoted individually based on age, ability, attendance, and work habits.
  • A student wishing to attend the pre-professional program coming from another school must attend an evaluation class for proper placement. This class must be scheduled in advance with the school office. An evaluation class is free of charge. The student’s evaluation may be discussed with the dancer directly after class, or the DCM office will communicate this information at a later time.

  

Scholarships:

  • The purpose of the boys scholarship program is to train local students to fill the male roles in DCM's performances. 
  • Boys age 6 and up receive full scholarship if taking one weekly ballet technique class. All boys who register for other dance forms, (including PreBallet and Creative Movement) with no ballet class will receive a 50% scholarship. Boys scholarships do not cover registration fees, performance classes, costumes, summer programs, Ballet Chesapeake fees, or Nutcracker performance fees.
  • Work/Study scholarships are available on a limited basis for dancers at advanced levels of study who are available to assist with studio maintenance and/or administrative duties.


Private Coaching:

  • Private lessons and coaching are available on a limited basis for students who need extra practice or who are participating in the Youth America Grand Prix ballet competition, or college/school auditions. 
  • Coaching is available by appointment, and should be scheduled through the DCM office. DCM staff will recommend the length of time for a lesson. (Most sessions are between 30-60 minutes.)
  • All private coaching sessions are $65 per hour payable to DCM.
  • At least 24 hours’ notice of cancellation must be given when cancelling a private coaching session, or the student will be charged a cancellation fee.

Class Attendance

  • Consistent attendance is expected and is critical to each student’s progress.
  • It is the responsibility of the student/parent to make up all missed classes promptly at the student’s level or a lower level.
  • All missed lessons must be scheduled through the office and made up within the session missed.
  • Students who miss more than four performance/technique classes in a session may be removed from choreography and/or performance. No refunds will be given. (See Nutcracker agreement for Nutcracker rehearsal requirements.) 
  • Arriving late, leaving early, or observing class because of injury or illness will count as half an absence for performance purposes.
  • Attendance at all production week rehearsals is mandatory for all performers. Dancers may be removed from the production if they miss a rehearsal during production week, and no refunds will be given.
  • Students should arrive 15 minutes early to get dressed, warm up, and use the restroom. Students are expected to wait outside of the classroom until their scheduled class time. 
  • Any student who is not prepared for class because of lateness, behavior problems, or inattention to the dress code may be asked by the teacher to sit and observe class instead of participating. 
  • Students should be picked up in a timely fashion, within 10 minutes of the end of their last class. DCM faculty and staff cannot be responsible for students left beyond this time.

Injury/Illness Policy

  • Students who are ill, including those with headaches, upset stomachs, and cramps, etc., may observe class with the permission of their parent or teacher.  
  • Students with injuries should seek the treatment of a medical professional before attempting to take class. Please ask at the DCM office for a list of medical professionals in our area who have experience treating dancers.
  • Students with injuries should be cleared by a medical professional before returning to class. We ask that you have your medical professional fill out a form, provided by DCM, indicating what dance movements are safe for your dancer to perform. 
  • Dancers who are injured should speak with each of their teachers before every class while they are injured to let them know their status.
  • Students who are unable to participate in the full class, because of injury or illness, should take notes about choreography and corrections and do any recommended physical therapy exercises or stretches.
  • All classes missed due to illness or injury should be made up as soon as possible to help build strength and maintain progress.

Waiting/Drop-off Procedures

  •  Students are expected to wait outside the classroom until their scheduled class time.
  • Young students in Dance With Me, Creative Movement, Pre-Ballet & Tap, or students in Ballet 1-3 and Elementary recreational classes should wait with parents in the lobby until their teacher invites them in to class.
  • Students in Ballet 4-6 classes and Intermediate/Advanced recreational classes should enter the class room if it is open and warm up for class. If there is another class in the studio, students should warm up in the lobby or hallway. 
  • DCM does not allow parents to observe classes on a regular basis. DCM offers several opportunities throughout the year for parents to observe classes during Visitor's Week, studio showings, or for special milestone classes. 
  • Parents are welcome to wait in the lobby area when dancers are in class or drop students off and pick them up later.
  • Students should be picked up in a timely fashion within 10 minutes of the end of their last class. DCM faculty and staff cannot be responsible for students left beyond this time.
  • Parents MUST be present while your child is not in class for all dancers ages 12 and under. Dancers should wait inside the building to be picked up after class. 

dress requirements

All students must furnish their own clothing and shoes for classes. including shoes and tights for performances. By the end of the first two weeks of a session, students should be dressed for class in the appropriate uniform, even when injured or observing. All clothing and shoes should be marked with the student's name. No jewelry (except small earrings) may be worn in class. Students should not wear leg warmers, sweaters, or extra clothing of any kind in the classroom. 

Recreational Program

Creative Movement - Light pink leotard, pink footed tights, pink ballet slippers, hair in a bun

PreBallet & Tap - Lavender leotard, pink footed tights, pink ballet slippers, hair in a bun, black patent leather tap shoes


*Ballet 1 - Light blue leotard, pink footed tights, pink ballet slippers, hair in a bun

*Ballet 2 - Red leotard, pink footed tights, pink ballet slippers, hair in a bun

*Ballet 3 - Burgundy Leotard, pink footed tights, pink ballet slippers, hair in a bun

*Leotards for Ballet 1, 2 and 3 should be traditional/conservative styles (unadorned, no halters, cutouts, or strap designs). Dancers at this level should not wear undergarments under their leotard and tights.

Recreational Ballet - Any color leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers


Tap - Any solid color leotard, solid tights/leggings/jazz pants, black patent tie tap shoes (4-7 years), black oxford tap shoes (8 years and up), hair in a bun or pony tail

Jazz/Hip Hop - Any solid color leotard, solid tights/leggings/jazz pants, black jazz shoes/sneakers, hair in a bun or pony tail

Modern - Any solid color leotard, solid tights/leggings, bare feet, hair in a bun

Pre-Professional Ballet Program

Ballet 4 -   Navy leotard

Ballet 5 -   Royal blue leotard

Ballet 6 -  Plum leotard

Ballet 7 -  Gray leotard 

All pre-professional ballet levels should wear pink convertible seamed tights and pink canvas ballet slippers with ribbons. leotards should be traditional/conservative styles (unadorned, no halters, cutouts, or strap designs). If bra support is needed, undergarments should not show. Hair should be in a bun or similar style with all bangs pinned or sprayed back. Solid color skirts may be worn for point classes and rehearsals. No warm up garments should be worn during class except plain pink leg warmers in the case of injury. No jewelry should be worn during class except small earrings. 


Male Students

Ballet - Tight fitted white T-shirt or white leotard, black tights, black ballet slippers, or white ballet slippers with thin white socks (Ages 10 and up should wear a black or tan dance belt (athletic support) when necessary.

Jazz/Hip Hop/Modern/Tap - Tight fitted T-shirt (no writing or logos), black pants or shorts, black jazz shoes, dance sneakers, tap shoes, or bare feet.


Inclement Weather Policy

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In the event of inclement weather or class cancellations for any other reason, the DCM website and Facebook pages will be updated with the latest information about DCM school closings. An announcement will be posted at least one hour before class times begin in the event of cancellations.


DCM does NOT follow the Harford County Public School system closings. DCM does not hold make-up classes for weather related or other emergency closings, and no tuition reductions will be given. Students have the option to make up any missed classes in any other class, at the student's level or a lower level, with permission of the DCM office.